What is a preferred name and how do I update mine?

Wayne State University allows all students and employees to register a preferred name with the university. This adds to the safe and welcoming environment on campus, where everyone knows that their identity is important to the university, its faculty and its staff.

What is a preferred name?

A preferred name is a name someone wishes to be known by when they attend class, receive most services at the university and communicate with the university.

Where will a preferred name be displayed?

The preferred name tool allows you to change your name as displayed in Academica, Wayne Connect, class rosters, directory information, advising systems and more. The Preferred Name Committee is working on reducing visibility of your legal name to only where it is required – e.g., diplomas, pay stubs, financial aid, tax forms and other regulated documents. If you have legally changed your name, you may follow the normal process with the Office of the Registrar.

If you come across a system that still displays legal names instead of preferred names, contact Wayne State Information Privacy Officer Michael Barnes at mjbarnes@wayne.edu.

Enter your first and last name in the appropriate boxes (middle name is optional) and click Next. You may only use letters — numbers and symbols cannot be entered.

You will see your entries. If you want to make a change, click Back. Otherwise, click Submit.

The system will confirm that your request is being processed. Please allow up to 48 hours for university systems to reflect changes made.

If you want to change your personalized email name or create a preferred email address, you may select those options in the Account Management menu and follow the prompts. There is, however, no need to set a preferred name unless it differs from your legal name.

Can I get a new OneCard?

New OneCards will be issued in your preferred name. Visit onecard.wayne.edu for information on how to obtain a new OneCard.

Can people search for me using my legal name?

Your legal name will only be available where legally required. If anybody searches for your legal name in the Wayne State directory or any other system that displays your preferred name, they will not be able to locate you. Be sure to share your preferred name unless you are specifically asked for your legal name.

What if I have questions?

Contact the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu or 313-577-4357 if you have any technical questions. For other questions, contact the Student Service Center at studentservice@wayne.edu.